As part of his effort to transform American political institutions in the name of progress, Woodrow Wilson sought a new role for the American presidency, in which an active executive, as the embodiment of the popular will, leads the nation toward genuine democracy. In sketching out his vision for the progress of American government, Wilson appeals to the image of Abraham Lincoln, and once famously declared that the Lincoln example vindicates Americas faith in democracy. But to appreciate Wilsons Lincoln, one must understand exactly what Wilson thinks we are to believe in. That is, what does Wilson understand democracy to be, or what American democracy should be? When Wilson suggests that the Lincoln example makes it possible to believe in democracy, the democracy in question is based upon principles fundamentally opposed to Lincolns own political thought. In appealing to Lincoln, Wilson seeks to undermine and replace Lincolns political principles.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished ManuscriptAbstract: As part of his effort to transform American political institutions in the name of progress, Woodrow Wilson sought a new role for the American presidency, in which an active executive, as the embodiment of the popular will, leads the nation toward genuine democracy. In sketching out his vision for the progress of American government, Wilson appeals to the image of Abraham Lincoln, and once famously declared that the Lincoln example vindicates Americas faith in democracy. But to appreciate Wilsons Lincoln, one must understand exactly what Wilson thinks we are to believe in. That is, what does Wilson understand democracy to be, or what American democracy should be? When Wilson suggests that the Lincoln example makes it possible to believe in democracy, the democracy in question is based upon principles fundamentally opposed to Lincolns own political thought. In appealing to Lincoln, Wilson seeks to undermine and replace Lincolns political principles.

WOODROW WILSON’S ABRAHAM LINCOLN Jason R. Jividen PhD Candidate Northern Illinois University Paper prepared for the Western Political Science Association Annual Meeting Las Vegas NV March 8 2007 Draft Copy: Please do not cite without author’s permission WOODROW WILSON’S ABRAHAM LINCOLN As part of his effort to fundamentally transform American political institutions Woodrow Wilson sought to open the nation up to progressive development through a restructuring and reinterpretation of American constitutional government. In short the Founders’ system of separation

149. 105 Ibid. 106 CWAL 8: 52-53. 107 Ibid; cf. 7: 514. 108 Anastaplo Abraham Lincoln 328 n. 468. 109 Indeed Lincoln suggests as much when later in this same address he insists that he will not modify the Emancipation Proclamation in any way nor will he re-enslave anyone made free by the Proclamation. Importantly Lincoln suggests that “If the people should by whatever modes or means make it an Executive duty to re-enslave such persons another and not